Manufacture of burial vault lids



Feb. 17, E LAGER MANUFACTURE OF BURIAL VAULT LIDS Filed Sept. 16. 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Feb. 17 1 959 P E, J, LASER 2,873,504

MANUFACTURE OF BURIAL VAULT LIDS Filed Sept. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

E.J. LAGER ATTORNEY United States PatentO MANUFACTURE OF BURIAL VAULT LIDS Edward J. Lager, Davenport, Iowa Application September 16, 1955, Serial No. 534,662

1 Claim. (Cl. 25-130) This invention relates to the manufacture of burial vaults and especially those constructed of concrete. More particularly, the invention aims to provide novel improvements in the manufacture of concrete vault components such as lids for the top-seal types and bases for the baseseal types.

A typical burial vault comprises a box-like concrete structure affording protection for the casket against decay and other destructive effects of the interment and for that reason most vaults are provided with either a boxlike base and a slab-like top cover therefor or a slab like base and a box-like cover, the former being .known as a top-seal vault and the latter as a base-seal type. Both have recognized advantages and the choice between the two is often a matter of local preference. In any event, both present similar manufacturing problems because of the difiiculty experienced inthe concrete casting of the slab-like base or top. It is therefore a principal object of this invention to eliminate these difliculties by casting the top or base on edge rather than fiat, thereby avoiding uneven distribution of concrete and the necessity for arduous troweling. Further, the on-edge system developed according to the present invention enables the fuller exploitation of vibration as a means to increase the test strength of the slab. It is an important object to incorporate in an on-edge form, shaping members producing not only the necessary arch in top components but also a peripheral seal that is uniform and accurate. The invention features further an on-edge form including complementary halves releasably securable together during the casting process and readily separable for stripping. Another object is the provision of such form in which pouring is accomplished through one or more top openings, and these are of such size as to accept a relatively rapid fiow of the concrete or equivalent mix yet leave only comparatively small areas for external finishing, in which respect the invention features the use of a finishing member guided for movement by edge parts of the form. Also among the objects of the invention are improved locations for vibrator rceivers, improved gasket means between the form halves, ease ofhandling and economy of construction and maintenance, as well as other desirable features and important advantages as will appear as a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the ensuing specification and accompanying sheets of drawings, the several figures of which are. described below.

Figure 1 is a perspective showing the form opened.

.Figure 2 is a perspective of the closed form as shown from one side. i

Figure 3 is a perspective of the closed form from the other side.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section as seen along the line 4+4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a finisher tool. a

The complete form comprises first and second form elements and 12 which complementeach otherw hen closed to afford an interior cavity 14 in which, in the "ice present case, a burial vault top or lid is made or cast of concrete or appropriate equivalent material. The nature of the final appearance of the lid or top can be gathered from the drawings, especially Figure 4.

An important feature of the present invention is the casting of the lid in the formwhile the form is in a vertical (or near vertical) plane as distinguished from conventional casting in a horizontal plane. This novel difference results in the benefits already outlined. The achievement of this objective is made possible by the construction of the form elements 10 and 12, each of which is described in detail below.

The element 10' comprises a rectangular frame made up of top and bottom long members 16 and 18 and upend to end of the element 10 and which bridges or spans the members 16 and 18. The marginal junction of the edges of the plate with the respective members 16, 18, 20 and 22 is preferably accomplished by welding and p the configuration of the plate at the junction is such as to afford a pair of parallel peripheral grooves 32 and 34 (Figure 4). When the vault lid is finished, these grooves provide on the lid a pair of corresponding ribs which interfit respectively with mating grooves in the vault base or bottom section, neither of which is shown here, because familiarity with the general construction is assumed. In the used the invention in the manufacture of bases for vaults of the base-seal type, the principles just outlined are followed. In either case, the interfit between cooperating parts of the vault effects a seal and prevents shifting of one part relative to the other.

The plate 30, with its integrally eifcted rib-forming portions or grooves 32 and 34, is preferably of steel and as an added advantage is made up of a plurality of lengthwise plate sections 36 and a plurality of crosswise plate sections 38, all welded into an integral whole that gives the plate an elongated dome or arch shape. Stated otherwise, the plate is generally arcuate in cross section, being concave in appearance when viewed fromits outer side (Figure 2) and convex when seen from its inner side (Figure 1). outwardly of the outer peripheral groove 32, by a flange 40 welded to the flanges of the frame members 16, 18, 20 and 22. The construction of the plate 30 of the sections 36 and 38 results in an increase in the strength of the arch ofthe finished lid. Cross bars 42 are used as upright spacers between intermediate portions of the members 16 and 18.

i Steel supports 44, in the form of plate stock, are welded to the concave or outer face of the plate 30, being spaced lengthwise of the element 10 so that one support is.

centrally located and each of the others is adjacent to the sections 38, or near the ends of the plate 30. These supports serve to carry upper and lower sets of vibratorreceivers 46 and 48 respectively. The upper set of receivers is located in horizontal alinement adjacent to the upper portions of the seal-forming grooves 32 and 34 and the lower set is similarly arranged relative to the lower part of the seal-forming grooves. Each receiver -may be of conventional design, bored to receive the shaft or hammer of any commercially known pneumatic or.

other type of vibrator. The receivers in the 'upper set The plate 30 is bordered, just peripherally.

crete. In the present case, the locationsof the receivers relative to the seal forminggrooves 32 and 34 not only strengthens the concrete ribs but gives the ribs an accurate finish. This characteristic is also consequently possessed by the entire marginal portion of the finished lid.v

The other element 12, like the element 10, has a rectangular steel frame made up of top and bottom members 50 and 52 and end members 54 and 56, together with a form plate 58 having somewhat the configuration of the plate 30 but different in detail, as will presently appear. The members 50, 52, 54 and 56 are preferably channels, welded or otherwise united to constitute the frame, and the marginal portions of the plate 58 are flanged at 60. for welding to the frame members. The face of the flange '60 that faces the element 10 is provided with a gasket 62 for cooperation with the gasket 24 on the element 10. The gasket 62 is interrupted at two locations for a purpose to presently appear. The flange 60 is apertured at 64 to receive the locking pins 28.

As previously pointed out, the form is used in an upright position, with its length horizontal, so that the cavity 14 is upright. Hence, the lid or other vault component formed in the cavity will be on edge rather than as a slab while in process. For this reason the concrete must be added at the top of the form, which therefore has a pair of filler openings 66. These are formed by theconstruction of the form element 12 in conjunction with the design of the top frame member 50. As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, this top member is interrupted by pocket-forming members 68 and the backs of the members 68' are welded to an angle-shaped top sheet 70. When the elements are assembled and locked together by the lock pins '28, the filler openings thusafe fordedlead downwardly directly into the cavity 14. The.

structure also provides three pockets 72 for accessto the three top lock pins 28, which is a distinct novel feature. The width of the form is made up almost entirely of the element 12, because of the dimension of the bottom frame member 52, and this width is sufficient to give the assembled form stability for standing alone.

It will be noted (Figure 4) that the junction of each filler opening 66 and the cavity 14 is at the extreme upper portion of the cavity. After the cavity has been filled, a finisher tool 74 (Figure is used to finish those edge portions of the lid exposed to the pockets or open ings 66. This tool has opposite downwardly diverging edges 76 and 78 to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the opening 66, and a curved bottom 80 to give the finished lid a shape symmetrical with the rest of the marginal edge thereof. A handle 82 is adjustably mounted on thetool, as by slots 84 in the tool and Wingnut fasteners 86. An advantage of the relationship of the filler openings 66 and the relatively minor amount of finishing thereof with the tool 74 is that the seal-forming grooves 32 and 34 are offset from the filler openings and the seal on the lid is not at all affected by the finishing operation, being thus as perfect as the grooves 32 and 34. I

The finishing operation is without complications. The tool is simply inserted in turn in the filler pockets 66 and moved lengthwise of the form, the handle 52 running along the associated portion of the top member 16 of theelement 10. The adjustment at 8486 enables proper locationof the handle so that the depending portion of the. tool attains the proper depth.

Because the plate 58 substantially complements the.

plate 30, it has a generally similar configuration, except that its inner face is concave (Figure 1) and its outer face.

is convex. End sectionsittt generally conform to the end section portions 38 of the plate 30 and contribute to the elongated dome effect'of the finished lid. A set of horizontally alined and lengthwise spaced vibrator receivers 90 is located on the outer or convex surface of the plate 58, relatively close to the zone of the upper portion of the cavity .14 and therefore. in the zone. of the seal-.

forming grooves 32 and 34.. A lower set of receivers 92 occupies a similar relationship to the lower part of the cavity. Suitable brackets or supports 94 carry the upper receivers and similar brackets 96 mount the lower receivers. The upper receivers are inclined to the vertical and are in downwardly convergent relation to the upper receivers 46 on the element 10 This relationship is designed to produce a maximum of strength in the marginal edge of the lid or other vault part formed in the cavity 14. The lower vibrator receivers are generally upright or parallel to the receivers 48 on the element 10. The receivers are thus located at opposite sides of the cavity 14 and in the zones of the smallest transverse dimensions thereof. End receivers 98 are carried by the end members 54 and 56 of the element 12, again in the aforementioned thin zone of the cavity. Upper and lower angle iron strips 100 and 102 run lengthwise of the upper and lower receivers 90 and 92,.respectively. and distributethe vibrations throughout the length of the form, which function in the otherelement is accomplished to some extent by the portions of the plate that form the seal-forming grooves 32 and 34.

Lifting loops 104 (only one of which is visible) are provided at opposite ends of the element 12. When the two elements are assembled and locked together by the pins 28, the complete form may be easily handled by a crane or hoist.

In the use of the. form, the two elements are assembled and the pins 28 properly placed and locked, preferably with the form elements horizontally positioned, the element 12 being. then lowermost to facilitate insertion and lockingof the pins.

the filler openingsor pockets66 at the top. Concrete, for example, is run into the cavity 14 via the openings 66.until the proper level has been reached, which can be determinedby testing with the tool 74. Excess concrete in the pockets. 66 should be avoided, since it will have to be removed in any event to obtain the final surface on that portion of the lid or comparable vault part exposed to thepockets 66. The necessary vibration is applied to the form by means of vibrators received in turn bytheseveral vibratorreceivers, and, upon completion of these steps, the concreteis allowed to set up sufiiciently. to permit stripping of the form therefrom. In one manner of. procedure, theform may be laid horizontally, with the element 10 on the bottom. The element 12 may then be lifted off and the lid allowed to remain on the element 10 for curing. In this way, a single element 12 may be used with several elements 10, the latter being the more economically duplicated. Of course, the above procedure may be varied, depending upon individual desires, and, likewise, considerable variations maybe made in the form elements themselves, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed isz.

A mold for the making of concrete burial vault lids, comprising: a first form having a rectangular frame made up of a pair of long and a pair of short frame members and a rectangular plate within and secured to said frame, said members having marginal coplanar edge portions providing a peripheral flange bordering. the plate and said plate being of arcuate section across the short dimension of the frame so that marginal portions of said plate proximate to the frame members are relatively adjacent to the plane of said flange and the peak of the arc of said plate is-outwardly of said plane; a second form having a frame of rectangular shape congruent withthe first frameand made upof a pairof. longand a pair ofshort frame members having inner edge portionscoplanar in an inner plane to afford a peripheral flange abutting the first form flange, said second form members being relatively wide in a direction normal to and outwardly from The. assembled form is then raised. upright orto the position .shown in the drawings, placingv the plane of the first form flange to have outer edge portions coplanar in an outer plane spaced outwardly a substantial distance from and parallel to the aforesaid plane, said second form further having a rigid rectangular plate bordered by and secured to the second frame and of arcuate section across the short dimension thereof so as to be generally concentric with and spaced outwardly of the first form plate, said second plate having the peak of its are within said outer plane of the outer edge portions of the second form frame members, said second form long frame members and the respectively adjacent portions of the second plate affording outwardly facing pockets running lengthwise of said long members and within said outer plane and within the width of said long members; means for removably securing the forms together with their flanges abutting, at least one of said forms having at one edge thereof an opening through 6 which concrete may be introduced between the plates; and vibration receivers on the second form in the aforesaid pockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 799,373 Gaebler Sept. 12, 1905 829,896 Sawyer Aug. 28, 1906 1,430,763 Silvertson Oct. 3, 1922 1,922,168 Lowell Aug. 15, 1933 2,274,236 Hopkins Feb. 24, 1942 2,296,562 Maxwell Sept. 22, 1942 2,495,100 Henderson Jan. 17, 1950 2,734,227 Costick et a1. Feb. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 502,379 Belgium Apr. 30, 1951 

